Long Cove Club makes move in Golfweek course rankings

While Harbour Town Golf Links dipped slightly in Golfweek’s annual ranking of the nation’s best modern golf courses, Long Cove Club proved to be one of the year’s top gainers.

Long Cove, like Harbour Town a Pete Dye design, moved up to No. 62 in the list unveiled this week, a rise of 19 spots over last year. Only three courses on the Top 100 list had bigger upward moves, with two moving into the top 30 after spending last year outside the list.

Harbour Town continued to lead Lowcountry offerings, though its position at No. 47 was down five places from last year. However, that may be an outlier in light of Harbour Town being closed for five months last summer to replace all of its turf.

The only South Carolina course ranked higher was Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, coming in 15th this year.

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Golfweek breaks its rankings into “classic” and “modern” categories, with courses built in 1960 or later falling into the latter classification. Two other Lowcountry courses remained inside the Top 100 list —No. 91 Secession Golf Club and No. 92 Old Tabby Links on Spring Island.

Golfweek panelists rate courses in 10 categories, including quality of course features, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and the “walk in the park” feel.

CAROLINIAN AMATEUR TO DEBUT

The Carolinas Golf Association has created a new Carolinian Amateur tournament, scheduled to debut May 20-22 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, N.C.

The event is a 54-hole stroke play tournament for male amateurs who carry a USGA handicap index of 7.4 or lower at a CGA member club. The event does not replace the Carolinas Amateur Championship, which will conduct its 102nd edition in July at the Country Club of Charleston.

Keith Hills is the home course for the Campbell University golf teams. For more information, go online to CarolinasGolf.org.

WRIGHT-TENNYSON RECEIVES AWARD

Heidi Wright-Tennyson, Moss Creek Golf Club’s longtime director of golf, was formally honored as the Carolinas PGA’s Golf Professional of the Year during the association’s annual banquet in Greensboro, N.C.

The award, announced last November, is given annually to the PGA professional who demonstrates “strong leadership, positive image, ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf.” Nominations are made by fellow members.

Gregory Crum of Secession Golf Club also was recognized as the CPGA’s Assistant Golf Professional of the Year.

KOZAK WINS IJGT IN SAVANNAH

Bluffton’s Kayla Kozak overcame a three-shot deficit to capture the International Junior Golf Tour’s Georgia Junior last weekend, scattering seven birdies over two rounds at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

Kozak finished with consecutive even-par 72s, including a 2-under 34 on her final nine that allowed her to overtake a faltering Yukie Sasaki.

GRIZ A WINNER AT SEA ISLAND

Jonathan Griz (Hilton Head Island) was a runaway winner at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s stop at Sea Island, Ga., capturing the Boys 11-13 division by 17 strokes over his nearest pursuer.

Griz, who scored his second HJGT victory of 2016, turned in the second-lowest score in any division with an even-par 72 in his final round.

LEUKEMIA FUNDRAISER

Sanctuary Golf Club will host a “Nick vs. Leukemia” tournament March 12 to help raise funds as Nicholas Abrams undergoes treatment for a recurrence of the blood cancer.

The 9-year-old son of Jeff and Becki Abrams faces a potential three-year battle after doctors found earlier this year that his cancer had returned. Jeff Abrams, a former golf professional, has been a kicking coach with Beaufort High’s football team.

Registration is $60 per player, which includes tournament prizes and lunch after conclusion of play. For more information, contact Reed Weatherford at 843-524-0300.